Flexible holder for cleaning material



Aug. 16, 1949. J, PARl FLEXIBLE HOLDER FOR CLEANING MATERIAL Filed April 25 INVENTORV.

Patented Aug. 16, 1949 against contact with the cleaning material. When the cleaning or polishing operation is complete, the hand grip device is snapped into resilient engagement with the protective receptacle portion of the device, maintaining the cleaning material out of contact with adjacent surfaces. The shape of the protective flange and the protective receptacle are such that the hand grip and the associated receptacle may be maintained in tight engagement while the cleaning or polishing material is not in use.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character! designates the hand grip portion of the utility receptacle consisting of resilient rubher or synthetic material, While reference character 2 designates the coacting protective cover portion of the utility receptacle formed from resilient rubber or synthetic material. The hand grip portion 1 comprises a central longitudinally extending hand grip 3 which is approximately semi-elliptical in contour as represented at 4 along the longitudinal axis thereof, and of approximately semi-circular section at the upper extremity of the transverse axis thereof as represented at 5.

The hand grip 3 includes a pair of substantially parallel extending resilient side Wall portions, represented at 6 and I, each of which taper inwardly at the central transverse axis thereof as represented at 6a and la and serve as an interlocking and securing means for the cleaning or polishing material represented at 8. The side walls 6 and l terminate in the integrally connected flat resilient protective flange l2. The hand grip 3 has a hollow interior represented at 3a which is symmetrical in shape having a pair of lobe sections 3b and 30 at each end interconnected by the narrow central section formed by the inwardly directed tapered portions 6a and la of the side walls 6 and l of the hand grip 3. These lobe sections facilitate the introduction of a portion of the mass of a cleaning material which may be slid endwise toward the central section of the hand grip and thereby interlocked by the inwardly directed projection Ba and 1a at diametrically opposite portions of the central section of the hand grip. Similarly, when the cleaning material 8 is to be removed, the mass imparts resiliency to the receptacle 2, enabling the tapered walls 2a to spread sufliciently to receive the peripheral edge 9 of the flange l2. Also, the bowed bottom 2b of the receptacle container serves as a suction grip to hold the receptacle or container in position on a flat surface.

When the hand grip device is in use as represented in Fig. 8, the flange [2 serves as a protection means preventing contact between fingers of the user and the cleaning material, or the surface being cleaned.

Wherever in the specification I have referred to cleaning or polishing material, I intend these terms to be regarded as generalizations to denote any kind of abrasive or polishing material. The device of my invention has many applications not hereinbefore mentioned, including the application of abrasive material to painted surfaces for removing grease and old paint therefrom. Likewise, the device of my invention may be applied in the scraping or removal of old putty from windoWs and in the cleaning of woodwork and metalwork at corner portions thereof where a rubbing of cleaning material may be compressed toward one end of the hollow interior 3a of the hand grip 3 and the cleaning material removed through one of the lobe sections 3b or 30. v

The cleaning material illustrated at 8 may be steel wool impregnated with flaked soap, a fabric material, a sponge or any other cleaning or polishing' or detergent-carrying material.

I The resilient flange [2 which is approximately ellipticalin shape terminates in a beaded edge represented at 9. The beaded edge 9 has a rounded 'upper portion 9a and a relatively sharp peripheral edge 9b. The relatively sharp peripheral edge 9b establishes a relatively tight interconnection with a complementary shaped recessed edge portion In of the utility receptacle cover portion 2. The depth of the recessed edge I0 is such that the peripheral edge 9 of the hand grip portion I forms a snug interfitting relation with the protective receptacle 2 for maintaining cleaning material 8 in substantially suspended H action within a small available space is often so tedious and many times injurious to the 'fingers. The relatively soft pliable material of the protective flange l2 prevents injury to the fingers of the user, even in the most congested Work areas where an abrasive is to be vigorously applied with the device of my invention.

Among the advantages of the device of my invention I may mention the following:

1. The resilient flexible walls of the enclosing container do not impede the natural hold provided by the hand grip..

2. The material of the container keeps the fingers and hand dry and away from the lather of the soap which is produced as a result of the vigorous agitation of the material carried by the hand grip over the surface to be cleaned or polished. V

3. Greater pressure can be applied to the abrasive material by use of the device of my invention than is possible without the interposition of this device.

4. The receptacle forms a sanitary compact unit.

5. The steel wool or cleaning or polishing material does not disintegrate or rust easily when protected within the receptacle.

6. The polishing material is ready for instant use.

7. Injury to the hand or fingers is prevented in vigorous rubbing action by the protection afforded bythe extending flexible flange and the resilient finger grip.

8. By reason of. the enclosure of the cleaning or polishing material, odor from the material is suppressed.

While I have describedmy invention in one of its preferred embodiments, I realize that modifications may be made, and I desire that it be understood that no limitations upon my inven tion are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the. appended claim.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

In a device of the class described, a flexible holder for cleaning material comprising a substantially elliptical disc-like portion and a hollow finger grip portion extending along the major axis thereof, said finger grip portion having a pair of internally arranged lobes at each of the ends thereof with a pair of curved inwardly directed central projections intermediate said lobes, whereby, a mass of cleaning material may be introduced into said hollow finger grip portion through either of said end. lobes and. slid longitudinally to a position frictionally gripped be tween said. centrally disposed inwardly directed curved central projections for securing the cleaning material within the said hollow finger grip portion.

A JACK M. PARI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number I Number France Aug. 10, 1936 

